ASU recruiting official placed on leave following arrest

TYLERLOCKMAN

FS Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. --
Arizona State has put assistant athletic director for recruiting Sherman Morris on administrative leave after he was arrested over an alleged domestic violence incident on Aug. 29.

"We have put a football staff employee on administrative leave pending the outcome of a review of the facts in the case," an
ASU athletics spokesman said.

Chandler police confirmed Morris was arrested at his home. According to the police report obtained by FOXSportsArizona.com, Morris faces two charges, one of alleged "aggravated assault - strangulation" and one of "aggravated assault - serious physical injury." Both are felonies.

The report states that Morris, 43, returned to his home in the 1700 block of E. Jade Place in Chandler from work and his wife, Erica, asked to speak with him. Their discussion devolved into an argument, and the report says Sherman Morris wrapped his arm around his wife's neck from behind, choking her and lifting her off the ground while yelling something to the effect of "stop (expletive) with me" or "stop harassing me."

Morris' adult stepson apparently heard the arguing, the report states, and entered the room. He told police he witnessed Sherman Morris punch Erica Morris once in the mouth and again in the upper back but did not witness the strangulation. He apparently broke up the altercation and began arguing with Sherman Morris.

The victim suffered bruises on her arm, a chipped tooth and a cut on her face that was still bleeding when police arrived, the report says.

A release questionnaire states that Morris has a history of domestic violence but that none has been previously reported to police.

After initially leaving the home when told the police would be called, Morris returned home and was arrested shortly after midnight Aug. 29 and booked into 4th Avenue Jail in Phoenix. Erica Morris obtained an order of protection against her husband.

ASU hired Morris this offseason after he spent six seasons at LSU as director of player personnel. Since his hiring, Morris has spearheaded a number of major recruiting initiatives. At LSU, Morris was credited with helping football coach Les Miles land recruiting classes that were consistently ranked among the best in the nation.